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Being from the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), moving to the UK, and adjusting to a completely different way of living was challenging. Managing this, whilst studying (especially as this is the first time I lived away from home), required an openness to adapting and growing. With time, I developed an integrated approach to living, bringing old traditions from back home and merging them with a “uni-life” experience of the UK. Of course, doing this during pandemic conditions wasn’t ideal, but as time went on and restrictions were rolled back, I developed my new normal. The UK is a great place to study, as due to its metropolitan nature, they are very accepting of all cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ways of people- therefore one need not feel like they will be ostracised for wanting to integrate their passions/hobbies.
This “uni-life” experience includes (but is not limited to) navigating your way through classes/exams/projects, making new friends/ visiting a local pub for a pint, attending various social events scattered throughout the year hosted by your campus/accommodation, exploring your town and environs to experience the landmarks and historic sites of the UK, and even taking a day trip to a nearby town for some time away. However, do not feel pressured to do all these things, at the end of the day your work is your priority, so knowledge of your limits must guide you accordingly.
Studying at my university was interesting and unique, as mine was the first year to begin and end under the lockdown conditions. What I would say is that our patience whilst everyone was “figuring things out” was rewarded with truly passionate teachers and instructors who guided us throughout the entire process, don’t get me wrong- at the end of the day the onus was on us to get the work done, but I never felt at any moment like I was not supported from my school’s staff. They went out of their way to make the students aware of the various ways in which we can receive help- if need be.
I studied for an MSc Transport Infrastructure under the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds, which Across the Pond offered massive support in helping me apply. They made the entire process of applying to transitioning over to the UK much simpler- which, with the confusing and ever-changing nature of applications in late 2020, definitely made the world of difference and allowed me to focus on getting the tasks done, having the support of experienced, knowledgeable and gracious staff to assist with navigating the waves of new information that was coming in weekly.
The cost of living varies from city to city, so depending on where you go, your budget will vary greatly. I started in Leeds, which is more economical than where I am now in York. Therefore, depending on the area in which you choose to move, your cost of living will vary greatly and may require prior research if on a tighter budget. Northern England is on average colder than Southern England as well- so for all the students who live in warmer climates- beware!
To the students who may be hoping to join the UK workforce, something I wish I knew sooner- many businesses offer graduate schemes and placements to students and recent graduates. Applications to these usually become available from October/ November for the jobs which are set to start September the following year. Apply as soon as possible, these are highly competitive, but there is much research material to support you through the application process online. Apply whilst in your various degrees, to assist with obtaining a position the following September.
Finally, embrace the full student life whilst here, visit the libraries and utilise all the free resources the University offers. For those applying to master’s programmes, the year goes by fast, so fully embrace it!
- Jared-Marc
Established in 1930, the UK University is a large public research-intensive university located on a 500 acre campus site in a city in the UK. The city is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 in UK national league tables and amongst the top 100 universities globally. With over 36,000 students, including 10,000 international students from over 150 countries, the university's students are part of a truly vibrant and global community.
For over 100 years, innovative academic research at the University has influenced society and made an impact on people’s lives. The university is where pacemakers and plastic heart valves were developed, where the first artificial vitamin (Vitamin C) was synthesised, and where the cavity magnetron was developed, leading to applications such as radar and the microwave oven. The University´s academic expertise continues to address the key challenges facing the modern-day world and were proud to have 25 Nobel Prize winners.
The university can offer the best of both worlds, the campus is not only a green and beautiful place to learn but is also a thriving hub of student life. It’s also only a stone’s throw from the city centre, which is perfect for those students who want a balance of a city and a campus experience.
On the main campus there are many facilities and services, and students do not have to go far to reach the library, study spaces, cafes, bars, shops, and food stalls. At the centre of campus you will find an impressive parkland spanning over 20 acres, as well as a beautiful red brick building in addition to a brand new (2022) teaching and learning building.
The campus also boasts a state-of-the-art Sports Centre including; a 50m swimming pool, a large multi-sport hall, a range of activity and fitness studios, a very extensive gym, six glass-backed squash courts and various other facilities.
The University’s Student Support Hub offers help and advice to students. Teams of professionally-trained counsellors can assist students with any difficulties they may be experiencing from. The International Student Team also provides trained and dedicated advisers for international students who have queries relating to immigration, working in the UK, healthcare, finance, personal and academic support. All services are free of charge.
The English institute established in 1932, is an internationally renowned research institution based in the heart of the beautiful city created to push the boundaries of knowledge about English studies and Renaissance drama. The Institute allows the city's vibrant community of postgraduate students to explore English from a range of different perspectives.
The university encourage collaboration between different courses. Team work involving different skillsets is vital in most industries and the university support this ethos wholeheartedly.
The university is renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. The University is tone of the most targeted universities by top employers, demonstrating their commitment to you and your future. The University has also invested £5m+ in its graduate careers services and successful alumni are offered mentoring and bursaries to support work experience and internships in the UK and overseas. International students are offered a variety of specially tailored events, including coaching and skills workshops on topics such as networking skills, job seeking strategies and job seeking beyond the UK.
International students are guaranteed a place in the university´s student accommodation for at least their first year of study, if you apply by the deadline. There are a range of accommodation options available around the University, from halls of residence to private homes. There are three University-owned accommodation villages based around the campus, plus privately-owned Partner Accommodation, featuring a range of room types including en-suite, shared bathroom, self-catered and Meal Plan and a flexible catered option.
All accommodation is within 2 miles of campus and there are excellent transport links. The University's ‘Living’ team will help if this is your first time living away from home to explore your accommodation options to give the best housing advice to students during their time at the university.
The main campus is located in a beautiful leafy suburb, only a 10-minute train journey from the city centre. The University has great bus links and has its own train station called ‘University’, meaning journeys into the city are cheap and fast.
The city is one of the biggest in the UK and as a result, there is always something to see and explore – from modern art galleries, artisan bakeries, and award-winning street food to botanical cocktail bars, beautiful country parks, and global sporting events. The city is also one of Europe’s youngest cities, meaning you will be surrounded by like-minded people.
It is also a major European city, and home to some spectacular Victorian and contemporary architecture as well as venues for art, music, theatre and sport, excellent nightlife, great shopping and eating. The city also benefits from being surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Its geographical position in the UK makes it a convenient base from which to explore the UK and Europe; the city is less than two hours away from London by road and rail, and has its own international airport. Scotland, London, Cornwall, Warwick, Stratford, the Peak District and Wales are also all within easy travelling distance.
The University was founded in the year 1930 by a prominent politician and imperialist. The University was one of the UK’s first civic university, where students from all religions and backgrounds were accepted on an equal basis. It has continued to be a university unafraid to do things a little differently, and in response to the challenges of the day. It was a founder member of the National Union of Students and one of the first universities in the country to:
During the First World War, the Great Hall (where graduation ceremonies and other important events take place) was used as a hospital. The Great Hall and most of the other original buildings are still standing over a hundred and twenty years later.
If you want to know more, get in touch and one of our student advisors will answer all your questions!
Across the Pond is the official representative for this teaching institution for selected countries around the world which means we can help you apply to their courses and help with all the documents needed to submit an application. We can help answer questions about their courses and the institution itself as they do not necessarily have the capacity to deal with student enquiries from all around the world on a daily basis. This also means that they can ask us questions about your application and we can help explain if they are not familiar with your grades, academic background or the educational system in your home country. They also appreciate that students who apply through Across the Pond get the help they need, not only in terms of submitting the application and supporting documents, but also with everything needed pre-arrival in the UK, such as student accommodation, visa information, funding information and well as preparing for departure to the UK.
I studied Engineering at Shanghai University in China, I finished my bachelor’s degree in 2013, after that I went into marketing at a Chinese airline. I went to Kaplan in London to do my pre-master’s course before I started my master's in Investment Management at Cranfield. The pre-master’s course really prepared me for this master’s degree. Some of the modules, like statistics and mathematics really helped me a lot. I chose Cranfield and Kaplan at the same time. Cranfield is a really good university and I wanted to live in London for a short time, I wanted to feel the culture of a big city. So the combination – seven to eight months in London and one year in Cranfield - is really attractive.
When I finished my bachelor's degree, I didn’t know what I was interested in, but with two and half years work experience I realised that I’m interested in finance and I want to get a master’s degree in that. With my education background, it was difficult to get on to a master’s degree because I didn’t have anything related to finance and my English was really bad, so Kaplan gave me an opportunity and helped me improve a lot, mostly in academic skills. After two terms I thought, yes I’m really prepared now, and it’s not that difficult for me here at Cranfield.
My first impression of Cranfield compared to London was that I thought I’d come to a different country. It’s completely different from London. But after one or two weeks here I really feel peaceful and I can really concentrate on the course. In London of course there are a lot of good places to go and I can have a really good time with my friends. But here I can really focus on my master’s.
My time here in the UK has been fantastic; there are a lot of opportunities here compared to in China. I've managed to see a little bit of the UK while I've been here. My friends and I rented a car and drove from London to Scotland and the Isle of Skye for six days. One day we started in Edinburgh at 7am and we went to the Isle of Skye, the Highlands and ended in Glasgow at midnight. We realised we should have stayed one night in the Highlands – but we looked on Google maps and it said you could finish this journey in nine hours. I drove thirteen hours that day, it was a bit dangerous. But it was really beautiful, all the lakes. It’s a different beauty than in China, there are less people – it’s like a picture you could see on your calendar, really, really beautiful.
Also I went skydiving in Bunbury – about one hour from London Marylebone by train. I took a six hour course with two instructors and I learned to freefall for 15-20 seconds and opened my parachute at 6,000 feet. We took a plane and we flew above the clouds and I thought this is really exciting, this will be a great story. But after I opened my parachute I realised I couldn’t see my landing field. And there is a radio, but I couldn’t hear them properly – my instructor was trying to tell me to turn left, but all I could hear was “Taoyi, turn …” and it cut out. I was surprised how fast it was, in the movies it doesn’t seem so fast. The first time I landed ok, but the second and third time I landed on my bum! For a qualification I’d have to do it 18 times, but it’s really expensive £2-300 each time, so I don’t think I’ll get my certificate.
I live in couple’s accommodation – I met my girlfriend at Kaplan, she was doing a foundation year there and she went to Birmingham University to study Economics, and at the weekend she comes to visit me or I go to see her.
I want to stay in the UK. I’d like to get a PhD and become a lecturer here. I’m hoping to do my PhD in Corporate Finance. I would like to stay in the academic environment, it is quite simple, I think there are more barriers in industry. I’d like to enjoy the balance.
We approach knowledge in different ways here compared to China. Not only politics and other daily life, I think here, people are more focused on living. They have a better balance between work and life. In China maybe there are too many people and the level of competition is quite harsh. Like me, I tended to focus on work– I didn’t care about my salary or how much overtime I was doing, as long as I had my job I thought I’m OK. Here, people feel satisfied. Of course there are some problems here, like Brexit for example. But there’s a better work-life balance.
- Taoyi
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